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Daniel James Brown's robust book tells the story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans.

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I must confess–every year I tell myself that I will try to read more nonfiction and ever year I read a bit more but perhaps not as much as I had intended. Last year I happened to read two nonfiction titles that delve into different slices of Washington state history. (more)

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I feel a bit guilty for not gushing over, or even liking, this book more--especially since it's the Whatcom County Reads book this year. I tried twice to read it and once to listen to it before I finally got through it. The story of UW crew and how they came together as a team to get to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin WAS interesting, but I somehow got bogged down in all the extra information in the book.

The story of the incredible crew from Washington.
The only reason I read this story was for my book group. I tend to steer clear of the non-fiction section altogether. This book was challenging for me, and it took forever just to get ten pages, but I found I really enjoyed it. Though most of the rowing terminology went right over my head and caused me to get bored, I loved Joe Rantz's story and found myself mentally cheering the boys on in their races. I actually cried many and multiple times during the sections on Joe's family life. It was just so heartbreaking and written so well that my soul cracked as I read of his abuse and abandonment. How harsh and cruel a person has to be to live with the knowledge that they are condemning a little boy. It's incredible how Joe was able to persevere, and in some ways thrive through this (especially in the Great Depression). I began to get attached to all the characters- some weren't even main characters. I liked the way it was written and the fact that it takes place in my home state really helped, but based on my patches of boredom and the struggle it was to read this, I'm giving it 2.5 stars

An excellent book, I felt as though I were watching each race. The stories of the boat building and the impossibly grueling training were fascinating. How much more difficult it was without the modern/hi tech clothing! These men were iron.

Absolutely wonderful!! A great, heart-warming story but also very well written. I felt as if I were in the boat as they raced to the finish line. History is woven into the fabric of the personal story of a group of outstanding young men and their coaches who made it to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It should make any American feel proud and any human being feel appreciative of humans. I have acquired a new respect for rowing teams.

A very inspirational look at survival in a world full of obstacles. Yet it cannot escape the irony and absurdity of celebrated athletic achievement on the precipice of war and the greatest mass murder of all time. To be fair, it is not about the sport, but about personal drive, and trust in others.

Summary

A timeless story of perseverance, of survival in a world full of obstacles. Joe Rantz faced abandonment by his family, putting himself through college, the dust bowl and great depression, and ultimately Hitler's influence in athletic competition. But his biggest obstacle at times was himself. Finally becoming a reliable piece of a cohesive whole, he and his crewmates lifted the Husky Clipper off the surface of the water, to the rafters of Washington's shellhouse, and into history.

Quotes

“What mattered more than how hard a man rowed was how well everything he did in the boat harmonized with what the other fellows were doing. And a man couldn’t harmonize with his crewmates unless he opened his heart to them. He had to care about his crew.”